It remains to be seen if Robert Kraft and the Patriots will opt to move on from Bill Belichick once a miserable 2023 season comes to a close.
But if New England does opt to part ways with their legendary head coach, the Patriots could have a viable in-house candidate in Jerod Mayo.
An All-Pro linebacker in New England who played his entire eight-year NFL career with the Patriots, Mayo put himself on the national radar as a head-coaching candidate last year while serving as New England’s linebackers coach.
Back in January, New England issued a team statement noting the franchise’s plans to keep Mayo “with the team long-term” by way of a contract extension — a move that potentially mapped out Mayo’s future as Belichick’s heir apparent as head coach.